how to quit phd program

How to Know When It's Time to Quit Your Ph.D. Program

Here are some pointers on when to stay in a Ph.D. program and when to drop out.

When to Quit Your Ph.D. Program

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Alumni of Ph.D. programs say one valid reason to exit a Ph.D. program is if having a Ph.D. is not necessary for you to achieve your professional aspirations.

Earning a doctorate of any sort is difficult. After years of study, candidates must pass a qualification exam, write a lengthy dissertation or complete a capstone project, and defend their research and conclusions in front of a panel.

And unlike most other degree programs, research doctorates - commonly known as Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D., degrees - frequently do not have precise parameters on how long they take to finish.

Uncertainty surrounding when graduation day will arrive is one of the challenging aspects of these programs, and Ph.D. students often struggle to plan for the future when they don't have an end date in mind, says Adam Ruben, who has a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.

"It's so indeterminate, how long it will last," says Ruben, who wrote a satirical book called "Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School."

"People ask you how long it will be until you graduate, and most of the time you tell them you have no idea," he adds. "It's not really until that last six-month stretch or so, when you have a thesis defense date scheduled, and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, that you know how long it is going to be."

Students who have started to regret their decision to enter a Ph.D. program should carefully evaluate whether it makes sense to stay in graduate school, experts say.

"Sometimes, openly considering quitting as a real option can help you to reconnect with why you started the PhD in the first place, and why you would like to stay," Katherine Firth, an academic adviser at the University of Melbourne in Australia, who has a Ph.D. and supervises Ph.D. students, wrote in an email.

Noncompletion and Academic Delays

Many people who enroll in Ph.D. programs leave those programs without Ph.D. degrees or take longer than eight years to finish their studies.

Ph.D. completion statistics from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences reveal that only 42% of humanities Ph.D. students in the U.S. who began pursuing their degrees sometime between 1996 and 2006 had doctorates eight years later.

Research on Ph.D. program attrition indicates that conflict between Ph.D. students and their academic advisers increases the odds that students will leave grad school. Frustration that arises while coming up with ideas for a dissertation or capstone, completing that project and defending it can be a major source of stress for Ph.D. students, many of whom leave their programs after completing doctoral coursework but before finalizing and successfully defending their work, research shows.

Additionally, Ph.D. students often express a need for additional funding, mental health services and professional mentoring.

Ph.D. program alumni often say they were mistreated by faculty during graduate school. A global survey of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at academic science institutions, published in May 2021, revealed that 84% of current and former science Ph.D. students and postdocs felt that an academic supervisor had treated them abusively.

"Cases where people are facing harassment, bullying or exclusion for example, might mean a person decides the only safe option is to quit, but a better academic culture would let them stay and complete," says Firth.

Reasons to Leave a Ph.D. Program

When a ph.d. won't help you get where you want to go.

Lt. Col. Robert Solano, a U.S. Army aviator and commander for the federal Defense Contract Management Agency, exited a distance learning, predominantly online Ph.D. program in aviation science several years ago. He realized he could advance in the military and thrive as an entrepreneur and investor without a doctorate.

"You don't need Ph.D. behind your name to show the world your self-worth and the value that you bring," he adds. "I wish I'd understood that sooner in the process."

Solano, who was a part-time Ph.D. student with a full-time military career and military scholarships, had acquired around $15,000 of debt to finance his Ph.D. studies, he says.

"One of my biggest deciding factors was that I felt like the dissertation process didn't allow me to be creative and pursue research that was going to be really meaningful and impactful in my career and my life," Solano says, adding that he submitted three dissertation research proposals that were rejected. "I could not imagine doing that for the next two to four years of my life, struggling with a dissertation board, and I think that was really the biggest factor for me."

When Your Well-Being Is at Risk

Experts say it's worth considering pausing or ending your studies if they are significantly interfering with other important aspects of your life, such as your family, health and relationships.

For Solano, the volume of Ph.D. reading and writing assignments he had to complete often felt overwhelming when combined with his professional duties. "I was declining in happiness and declining in health," he says.

Solano also worried that time spent on doctoral studies would take away from time with the woman who later became his wife, he says.

"If I could have done one thing differently, it would have been paying closer attention to that and not sacrificing those two things - my happiness and health," he says.

When You Find Another Way

Sometimes Ph.D. students receive job offers for their dream positions during their Ph.D. studies. In those cases, "they might choose to leave because they have already achieved their goals," Firth says.

Another valid reason to leave a Ph.D. program, she says, is if a student discovers that the actual experience of obtaining a Ph.D. "is not what they signed up for, and it doesn’t suit them after all."

What to Do if You're Considering Quitting

Ask for advice from someone other than your thesis adviser.

Certain problems with Ph.D. programs, such as disagreements and misunderstandings with advisers, may be addressed by seeking help from various faculty members or administrators at your grad school and outside experts who aren't on your thesis committee, experts say.

"There are other folks that (students) can go to for help and perspective, on and off campus," says Jennifer Polk, a Ph.D. recipient who provides career consulting to Ph.D. students and alumni via her consulting firm, "From Ph.D. to Life."

Ph.D. students often feel disempowered and isolated, Polk says, but "if the decision is whether to quit or not, that actually gives you power."

"If you're willing to walk away, you have power, so you can go and talk to other professors," she adds. "You can go and talk to the chair of the department. ... You can escalate to the graduate dean. There might be other offices you can go to before you burn it all down."

Firth notes that sometimes changes to a Ph.D. program – such as a switch from one adviser to another or a change to a thesis committee – can address a Ph.D. student's concerns and negate the desire to quit. Transitioning to part-time study or taking a leave of absence could make sense, and so could shifting between locations if a university has multiple campuses, she adds.

"Sometimes people think they have to quit, but they could seek out other adjustments," Firth wrote. It's also important for Ph.D. students in distress to evaluate whether their "current problems might go away with time or are here to stay," she says.

Consider Whether You Are Being Too Self-Critical

It is common for Ph.D. students to have a crisis of confidence in the middle of their studies, but Ruben cautions that doubts about personal competence may simply be impostor syndrome in disguise.

Though skepticism is frequently beneficial when conducting academic research, it can become destructive if it compromises someone's faith in themselves, he says.

"The problem is if you apply that skepticism to your own abilities and you apply it too harshly and say, 'I'm no good. I'm the worst person here. I don't deserve to be here,'" Ruben says. "You're going to feel terrible and you may also make some decisions that you wouldn't necessarily have made if you had a better sense of your own abilities and interests."

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• 10 . 07 . 20
• Leaving Academia

How to Quit Grad School and Not Ruin Your Life. A Simple 8-Step Plan For Leaving.

• Posted by: Chris

Updated December 11, 2022

I almost quit grad school. I drafted my resignation letter at least ten times.

It wasn’t much of a mystery why. I realized that my degree wasn’t preparing me for anything, that I was unlikely to get an academic job, and I wanted out. I realized that academia was basically a pyramid scheme, and I figured I’d run.

Above all, I was tired of feeling helpless. I felt that if I quit, I could take back control of my life.

I speak to lots of students who want to quit grad school, especially as the options in the academy dry up for many of us.

The hardest thing is knowing when to walk away ( I wrote about how you know here ).

I didn’t walk away. And I don’t regret finishing — I was in my fifth year by the time I thought about leaving. The end was in sight.

Your life is different, and your decision may be. And it’s yours alone to make.

It really is.

Nobody can make that decision for you. Far be it from me or anyone else to tell you what’s right for your life. You may go through months of back and forth. You may doubt yourself.

You need to live with the decision. And you shouldn’t spend your life hating someone else for making the decision for you, whether it was to stay or go.

This post is really for those who have already made up their mind to leave. If you’ve decided that it’s time to quit grad school, I’d like to give you some thoughts on how you might accomplish it, and survive with a career intact.

So how do you quit grad school and not ruin your life?

(If you’re not in graduate school but thinking about leaving academia, I wrote a related post on quitting academia ).

What follows is a roadmap for quitting.

But notice, I’m not saying you should quit. I ultimately didn’t quit, and I don’t regret finishing. I’m being very careful here because this decision is yours.

Some of these are affiliate links to products we’ve used and love. Thanks for supporting Roostervane!  

Here’s the plan…

Step 1 – Recognize That It’s Not Just a Career Decision

Step 2 – accept that there’s no shame in choosing to quit, step 3 – start searching while still enrolled, step 4 – be careful about who you tell, step 5 – find out what you’ll walk away with, step 6 – visit the career center, step 7 – find a non-academic mentor, step 8 – build a mental health routine.

By the way, I wrote a book about building a career after academia. You can check it out and read the first chapter for free, here.

1. Recognize that it’s not just a career decision

Let’s start with this. And it might shock you.

You’re worried that if you quit grad school you won’t have a great career or that employers will judge you.

I’m here to tell you that quitting grad school doesn’t mean you can’t have a great career, so don’t get hung up on that.

First and foremost, deciding to quit is a decision you can make based on what’s right for your life, your mental health, and the impact you want to have in this world. You’ve got great things to do, big problems to solve, and stuff to build. If grad school doesn’t fit within your big, audacious vision of your own future anymore, then maybe your time is better spent somewhere else.

Likewise, if you are drowning in debt and seeing no end in sight, piled up by a hopeless job market (and you only really wanted to be a tenure-track professor anyway), I can certainly see how grad school might slowly disappear from your horizons of what you consider to be a great life.

Either way, stay or go, grad school won’t make or break your career

Quitting will mean you probably can’t be a prof. I say probably. Talk to my friend with only an undergrad who teaches at a policy school because of real-life experience, or the many business profs who are from the private sector).

2. Accept that there’s no shame in choosing to quit grad school

There’s really not. Whether you decide to stay or go, please don’t let shame make the decision for you.

As I’ve said before, going to grad school isn’t joining a monastery, and there are absolutely no moral requirements on you to stay.

Grad school is supposed to be training after all. If you see that the training is going nowhere, or to a place you don’t like, it’s totally your right to walk away.

Now, that doesn’t mean that it will be easy to quit grad school. You may feel judgment from your supervisor or peers. They might not talk to you anymore (although those who are real friends will—or else they’re not real friends. It’s just like high school).

If you’re only staying because of that judgement, or fear of what people will think, you’re staying for the wrong reasons anyways.

Be free. Set yourself free. Your greatness lives on the other side of facing that fear.

3. Start searching while still enrolled

If you’re looking at quitting, and you have some time… If you have a few months before the next tuition check is due. Start looking outside now.

This means:

Your transition will almost certainly require networking , unless you already have an offer of some sort. Do networking first. I know it’s scary and uncomfortable, but it’s what opens up careers. I’ve got tons of posts (linked below) on how to do it.

Go start talking to people everywhere you can find them. Build your network in any way you can.

Networking is exploring. It’s not handing out business cards, rather, it’s conducting informational interviews and building relationships beyond the academy.

Not every conversation will lead to a job. But each will lead to a possibility. Go explore.

You don’t even have to tell the people you’re networking with that your job searching or thinking about leaving academia. Just tell them you’re exploring career options. They won’t care.

The reason I say to do this while you’re still enrolled is because:

•  People like to help students. They really do.
• Your title— master’s student, PhD student, PhD candidate, will carry some weight for people. It will likely help you build your network.
• If you have any stipend, it can support you while you look. It might take you months to find a job. Really the best time to search might be while you’re still funded and can get paid to do it.

More reading on networking

10 Powerful LinkedIn Tips to Take Your Networking Game to the Next Level.

Linkedin for phds: how to use it to build an amazing non-academic career, build a resume.

I would network before resume. I know it’s counter-intuitive, but doing networking exploration is really vital.

HOWEVER, if you know where you want to go or you see a job that’s too good to pass up, you’ll need a piece of paper called a resume. (In North America, a resume and a CV are two very different documents.)

Start creating it. You can find some directions at these posts.

A few great resume guides

6 Actionable Tips to Turn a CV Into a Resume that Employers Love

How to build a resume in 7 easy steps, your step-by-step guide to making the perfect resume (with examples), 4. be careful about who you tell.

You can take a read on your department, but in Twitter polls I’ve done I’ve found that about 30% of students feel that their supervisors or departments are openly hostile to non-academic work. Some have even been penalized for expressing interest in leaving the academy, left off projects, grants, or passed over for teaching or research opportunities.

This is disgusting, but it does happen.

I don’t want you to be terrified to leave, but it is important to be strategic about it. For some students, it might be wisest to tell your PI or supervisor once you’ve already decided to leave.

You might treat it as you would leaving any job. Often you don’t tell your employers that you’re thinking about leaving, you tell them once you are ready to jump.

But it’s really hard to be concrete on this. You may have a confidant within the academy who is supportive and encourages you to explore options outside. They may even be able to arrange meetings for you with people in interesting careers. Use your judgment about having these conversations.

5. Find out what you’ll walk away with

I said this in another post on leaving academia, but do be aware of what you’ll leave with. If you could arrange to leave with a master’s rather than nothing, it might be a wise decision. In American schools, this is referred to as “mastering out,” and it can be a great option for those who need to leave.

There’s a great story about mastering out here. As the article rightly points out, a master’s degree is not a “consolation prize,” but a valuable accomplishment!

You can have conversations with supportive professors or staff at a graduate school to find out what this would entail. The graduate school staff, in particular, are usually required to keep your conversations confidential.

6. Visit the career center

I know from my conversations with people in career centers that they are generally underused by grad students. Which is a shame, because they have fantastic resources for building a career with your degree . They’ll likely have connections to alumni , info on programs and placements that are available, and links to industry.

Go see them! Today!

For whatever reason, I never did. I don’t know why. I think I was ashamed, to be honest.

And there’s no shame in it. Check your career center to see what they can offer.

Go get started. The time is now. You don’t need to tell your supervisors or department.

7. Find a non-academic mentor

If you can, try to find a confidant or mentor who’s not in academia. It could be a family friend, or maybe you’ll find from your networking conversations (above) that you discover a kindred spirit who’s happy to help you walk through the journey.

Don’t email someone asking if they’ll be your mentor, really you don’t even have to call them a mentor, but do try to find someone who can help you walk through the journey.

8. Build a mental health routine

If you are going to quit grad school, you’re about to go through a massive transition in your life. Create some space around yourself for the mental work of it. Prepare yourself for one of the most challenging mental works you’ve ever gone through. Support yourself by whatever means necessary and brace for impact. Because no matter who you are, it can be rough.

I’m adding this final bullet like 5 years after leaving academia. I spent some time working in public policy, for a think tank and for the government. And then I realized that I hated that shit, so I started working in tech — and doubled my salary again.

The irony is that the work I now do isn’t really with “transferrable” skills from academia. It’s the stuff I learned by launching this blog. It helped me pivot and now I spent my time writing and advising on SEO for tech companies. You might not get excited by that, but I realized it’s the thing I love!

So, I need to say, that teaching myself skills has been a big part of my journey out. And it might be for you too.

Do you want to know the really good news? People quit grad school all the time and go on to live fantastic lives with great careers. I’ve added some caution in this post, but if you’ve decided that it’s right for you to go — more power to you! Be as smart and strategic as you can. As I’ve said before, two of my friends quit grad school and both are further in their careers and make more money than I do.

It’s not a death sentence. It actually might be the beginning of your life. Listen to your heart.

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Three questions to ask yourself before quitting your PhD

It’s normal for PhD candidates to consider abandoning their studies. Here’s how to take emotions out of the decision.

Gemma Conroy

Credit: Jacobs Stock Photography/Getty

28 July 2020

Jacobs Stock Photography/Getty

Amid lab shutdowns and cancelled fieldwork, many PhD students are facing tough choices regarding the future of their research career.

Roughly 45% of PhD students expect to disengage with their studies within the next six months due to financial hardship related to the pandemic, according to a new survey of 1,020 doctoral candidates in Australia.

While walking away without a doctorate will be the right choice for some – and perhaps the only choice for those with inadequate financial support - it’s important to ask the right questions before making a decision.

“Students need to separate the fake and real reasons for leaving,” says Shane Huntington, deputy director of strategy and partnerships at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences in Australia.

“Some of the most common reasons students quit have nothing to do with their ability to do a PhD.”

Below are three questions that can help a candidate decide whether to quit or continue with their doctoral studies.

1. Are your problems solvable?

Kate Kenfield

Shane Huntington

A disengaged supervisor, toxic lab culture, or a string of failed experiments might feel like reason enough to quit your PhD, but these are not insurmountable problems.

Huntington suggests switching labs if poor supervision or an overly competitive environment are causing you distress.

“I try to get students to determine whether their reasons for wanting to quit are really about them, and not just due to systemic problems. My advice is to map out what the problems are and explore how they can be solved.”

Struggling with specific tasks, such as writing, isn’t a sign to start drafting a withdrawal letter, says Inger Mewburn, director of research training at the Australian National University in Canberra.

“This is a fixable problem,” says Mewburn, who edits a popular blog called The Thesis Whisperer .

“But if you just aren’t enjoying what you’re doing each day, then those feelings need to be critically examined.”

2. Have you talked to someone about it?

It can be difficult for students to admit that they’re struggling, but reaching out to supervisors and other lab members can offer some much-needed perspective, says Frey Fyfe.

“There is a lot of pressure to only convey the positive,” says Fyfe, who quit their PhD in volcanology at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom in 2018, and has not returned to academia.

“I wish I had spoken to someone in my research group, as pretty much every PhD student wants to quit at some point.”

Huntington recalls that a quick chat with his PhD supervisor saved him from quitting his own PhD in physics in the late 1990s. The discussion led to weekly meetings where other lab members could help him find solutions to his experimental problems.

“My supervisor told me that most students want to quit at least three times, which sort of gave me permission to feel the way I did,” says Huntington.

He says the weekly meeting helped him feel supported. “We were able to work through the low points.”

Fyfe says that viewing a supervisor as a fellow collaborator, rather than someone to win approval from, can make it easier to communicate more openly.

“It’s not a one-way street,” says Fyfe. “You need to be able to communicate what’s going right and what isn’t.”

3. Does your PhD fit with your long-term goals?

Inger Mewburn

Embarking on a PhD is a major career milestone for many students, but it’s important to consider how it will further your aspirations in the long-run, says Mewburn.

For example, if a candidate wants to end up in a research-focussed job that doesn’t involve teaching, gaining experience from an industry placement could be a more strategic investment than spending years on a PhD.

It’s also important for candidates to make a realistic assessment of the job prospects in their field, particularly in the wake of pandemic-related hiring freezes and job losses .

“You’ve got to explore your options,” says Mewburn. “Is there even going to be a job in your field when you finish your PhD?”

A common mistake students make when deciding whether to quit or continue is focussing on the sacrifices they have made, instead of considering where they want to head next.

“People often think of the past, rather than the future. There’s a lot of guilt about what they’re giving up [if they quit],” says Huntington. “But it’s a myth, because you are not giving up on all the hard work, you’re just taking it in a different direction.”

Whether choosing to quit or stay, it ultimately comes down to feeling confident about your underlying reasons, says Huntington.

“Students should have some power over their destiny. Make the right decision on the right basis, and feel good about the choice you’ve made.”

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Part II: How to Gracefully Exit a Graduate School Program

If you’re wondering if you should quit graduate school and are looking for some advice, you’ve come to the right place. Following on from Part I of our “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” series, which focused on how to evaluate whether staying in graduate school is a good idea for you, Part II discusses the logistical aspects of exiting a graduate program if you’ve decided to leave.

Have You Considered Leaving Grad School? You’re Not Alone

If you are or have ever been a graduate student, at some point you have likely asked yourself the following question: “Do I really want to be in graduate school, or would I be better off pursuing a career that doesn’t require this degree?”

I really struggled with this question throughout my time as a grad student. I’d find the question bubbling up inside me every time I  stayed late to finish experiments , when I couldn’t get consistent results, and as I plowed through seemingly endless literature.

In retrospect, I had a killer case of  imposter syndrome . This, combined with a new marriage, rising uncertainty about maintaining  work–life balance , and mounting  pressure to publish,  resulted in my decision to take a Master’s degree as a fifth-year PhD candidate.

But fear not, dear reader! Many people find themselves partway through graduate school when they decide they want to  take their career in a different direction . Immediately after leaving grad school, I took a biotech job in industry and am now happier than ever!

If you’re a grad student and you’ve made the decision to quit graduate school, take the following steps to ensure that the decision is a good one and that the transition is as graceful and painless as possible.

Step 1: Acknowledge That Your Decision to Quit Graduate School Is A-OK and Get Support

Emotions can play a huge role in the decision to quit graduate school, but know that you are not alone ! Grad school is one of the toughest endeavors a scientist can take on.

Think of how many smart people you know—do they all have PhDs? Of course not! You can  still  be a scientist (and a good one, at that!) even if you don’t get a terminal degree.

Before telling your advisor you want out, though, discuss your decision with as many people as you are comfortable with. There are several reasons for this: not only will you  get support  from those who care about you, but you also might find alternative solutions or opportunities you may not have been aware of.

Step 2: Get as Many Outsiders’ Perspectives as You Can

Reach out to family, friends, careers counselors, counseling center therapists, and, in some cases, even your grad student peers. These are people who want you to succeed regardless of your scientific rigor or degree aspirations.

When considering my exit, I spoke frankly with my family, friends, and counselors about the possibility of leaving. They gave me great advice and ideas for exiting gracefully, including ideas for having difficult conversations and  navigating the job market .

Tread lightly when you speak to program administrators, your committee, or your advisor about leaving grad school. While they can provide further support or even solutions to grad school woes, they may also unintentionally sway your decision.

Gradually let your advisor/committee know that grad school isn’t right for you through several conversations. This is the best way to broach the subject and avoid abrupt surprises.

As I was making my decision, I initiated many conversations regarding concerns about publishing and advancing beyond the PhD, but I always kept these discussions primarily professional in nature.

I spoke with my advisor about what I needed to do to be successful in the lab and what  resources I was lacking . When I ended up taking a job and leaving the lab, it wasn’t a huge surprise.

Step 3: Keep as Many Doors Open as You Can Throughout the Process!

This is, perhaps, the most important step. If you change your mind or work out a solution to stay, you need to be professional with colleagues. Furthermore, they will likely influence your ability to find work beyond leaving graduate school (see below).

You’ll also probably want to start networking; these contacts could prove invaluable once you’ve left your program.

Step 4: The Nitty Gritty – Graduate School Exit Logistics

There are a plethora of logistical considerations when you quit graduate school, or any other job for that matter. While it might seem enticing to leave immediately,  you  must  consider factors such as your financial situation, health insurance, and future work prospects .

You might have an emergency fund available and won’t need to immediately get a job after leaving grad school. But if you’re in debt or sustaining yourself on a stipend or loans, try to find employment before leaving!

Ideally, this means finding your dream job straight out of grad school.

However, that is unlikely—even for the luckiest of us. If you don’t find something in your ideal field of work, consider other options, even if that means finding temporary work at a daycare, in retail, or at __________ (insert your favorite fast food joint).

You can always  keep in the loop  after you quit graduate school by reading relevant literature and networking, but you can’t easily undo going into debt!

In the USA, another benefit of seeking full-time employment before exiting is that you can  obtain health insurance . Even if you are healthy, an emergency or sudden diagnosis could leave you reeling with big bills.

If you’re in the States, keep health insurance in mind as you transition out of grad school. Some plans allow you to take  COBRA —your student health office may have more information.

Finally, take some time to  evaluate how your career trajectory has changed since deciding to leave . Consider  making a concrete plan  for professional development and reaching new career goals.

If you’ve found work in your desired post-grad school field, congratulations! How will you advance in that field?

If you take a temporary job, how will you take steps to get into the career you want to be in? This is often very challenging but will influence your odds of success on leaving grad school.

(Don’t forget about careers counselors! At some institutions, careers services and advising is available to alumni for several months beyond graduation.)

Step 5: Follow Up After You’ve Quit Graduate School

Remember Step 3? I’ll repeat it here: keep as many doors open as you can throughout the process! Guess what? That’s still true after you leave!

As painful or awkward as it might be, you’ll be doing yourself a favor if you  keep in contact  with your former committee and colleagues. You never know when you might want to get a reference letter, use your old grad school network to find employment later on, or ask for science advice.

Just because you’ve quit graduate school, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay in touch.

Whenever I contact an old supervisor or mentor, I try to include a short word of thanks for teaching me a technique or skill that I currently use.

Never underestimate the power of thanking someone for what you learned from them, even if the experience was challenging!

Navigating the waters of leaving graduate school is never easy but the tips above can get you started on the right track when you’re in the process.

What top tips and advice do you have for those deciding to quit graduate school? Let us know in the comments.

Useful Resources

Leaving Academia Blogspot

The Professor Is In

Originally published March 20, 2017. Reviewed and updated July 2021.

Love what you shared. I think there is too much advice that blindly (and perhaps unintentionally) leads graduate students towards over-saturated markets and impending mental health issues.

The only advice that I would add is to consider finding a career/life coach. Many grad students are good about meeting the expectations of others but not good about setting up a life for themselves that they can appreciate (me included!). Find someone who can truly care about the direction that you want to go in without any benefit to themselves (you pay them to listen/provide feedback… they don’t benefit from you doing anything specific with you life – unlike you major professor). Take time to practically consider your options. Then move.

Dropping out of grad school or leaving academia isn’t the end of your life. It’s just a experiment that has come to an end. Learn, adapt, move on – there is no other way.

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Thinking about quitting your PhD? Maybe that’s the right decision

Sometimes not completing a PhD is the rational choice, and having open conversations around it helps stop people feeling isolated and uncertain, says Katherine Firth

Katherine Firth

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We know that 30 to 50 per cent of PhD candidates don’t complete globally. Countries such as the UK and Australia, where about a quarter of students don’t finish their PhD, actually congratulate themselves on their efficient completions. While my day job involves trying to help more people finish on time, I also know that choosing to stop can sometimes be the right decision.

People stop their PhD for a variety of reasons, including to pursue job opportunities, to focus on external life priorities or simply because they lose interest. Over the past two years, there have been even more disruptions than usual: researchers haven’t been able to travel or do fieldwork; they have had to give up in-person conferences and avoid busy labs and libraries; they got sick or the pandemic exacerbated existing health conditions; or their priorities changed.

Supervisors, candidates and universities need to be more open to having conversations about quitting. Why do candidates choose to quit, how many people do so and what happens to them afterwards? It’s almost impossible to get detailed, accurate data about completion rates. People who quit leave the university and, therefore, we often don’t see what they do next. If we don’t talk openly about stopping, people who are considering it feel isolated and uncertain. But it isn’t rare, and supervisors are in a privileged position to recognise the signs early – and then, as appropriate, support their candidates as they successfully navigate away from the PhD.    

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Academics don’t always like to acknowledge it, but your health, family, career and community are more important than any scholarly accolade. People generally think about quitting for reasons including family responsibilities, mental health or their financial situation. Or they choose to leave because other opportunities come up. These can be rational, practical choices with sensible long-term outcomes.

After all, graduating with a doctorate is not the only pathway towards contributing to knowledge, discovering new information or being recognised as an expert. That incomplete doctorate might be suitable for a patent or to spin out into an industry application. Perhaps it makes sense to publish your findings in an academic article – or a public-facing book. Similarly, the skills that candidates have already developed in pursuing their research might be an asset in their job beyond academia.

It’s important for candidates to know that not finishing a PhD doesn’t make you a failure, and it doesn’t mean you’ll never have the opportunity to do a research degree in the future. Sometimes, now is not the right time or you’re not in the right field. You wouldn’t be the first person to return to academia after a decade in industry, or when your circumstances changed, or when your research project was safe to pursue again. The past two years have been particularly challenging for researchers who had to totally change their planned research projects. When it is just not possible to pursue the PhD you signed up for, it can be a valid decision to do something else instead.

However, I wouldn’t want to suggest that the only two options are gritting your teeth or leaving. Universities increasingly have opportunities for flexibility or support, which candidates should explore. Some adjustments are quite common if you ask around. It’s often possible to press pause on your candidature, take a leave of absence or change to part-time study. Work with the equity team or researcher development team to improve accessibility or get support. It might also be helpful to negotiate changes in the supervision team – realigning it to better support your methods, specialisation or preferences.

There are more drastic options, too. It’s possible to convert your PhD to a master’s by research. Candidates might even explore taking their project to another faculty, another university or another country where it fits better. Leaving your current situation might mean losing out on your funding or burning bridges or hurting feelings. It tends to require a lot of extra time, effort and work. It’s an extreme option, but if you’re already thinking about leaving, you are already considering radical action.

I recently wrote a book with Liam Connell and Peta Freestone, Your PhD Survival Guide , based on Thesis Boot Camp , our award-winning programme for helping get people over the thesis finish line. In our experience working with thousands of doctoral candidates around the world, having non-judgemental conversations about quitting frees people from having to pretend that everything is fine.

Supervisors, peers and mentors can also help identify what changes are possible to make or support candidates to weigh up their options and make a considered decision about whether to carry on or put down the doctorate, for now or for good, and pursue other priorities. PhD researchers are smart, resilient, persistent problem-solvers, and they contribute in so many ways to our world, whether or not they gain the title “doctor”.

Katherine Firth is lecturer in research education and development at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, and a founding member of the Thesis Boot Camp team. Her most recent book on doctoral success is Your PhD Survival Guide: Planning, Writing and Succeeding in your Final Year with Liam Connell and Peta Freestone.

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Knowing when to quit PhD: Signs to look for and what to do next

Not many know of the harsh realities of the PhD program when they first start out and many struggle to be fully convinced that PhD is indeed the right career choice for them.

So, somewhere along the journey they start feeling stuck with no real progress being made and start questioning whether or not to continue . It is at this time, they need to make the tough call and often they lack the know how to be able to decide how to proceed thereon.

In this article, we will look into the signs that indicate it’s time to quit your PhD program, what to do after quitting, and alternative career paths to consider. We’ll also discuss managing finances and prioritizing mental health during this difficult time, as well as the importance of a healthy relationship with your PhD supervisor.

Finally, we’ll explore how a change in personal goals can affect your decision to leave the program and provide resources for those considering leaving their PhD program. Contrary to the other blogs that touch base on this topic, we will also look into how you can resume your PhD journey after a brief hiatus if you decide so instead of quitting.

Table of Contents

Signs it’s time to quit PhD

Making the decision to quit PhD

Next steps after quitting phd, alternative career routes after quitting phd, resume your phd journey, key takeaways, signs it's time to quit phd.

There are some tell tale signs that you can look out for to know if it’s time to quit your PhD.

Lack of Passion

Your passion for your research should be what drives you to continue your PhD. If you find yourself lacking excitement or interest in your work, it may be time to re-evaluate your goals and consider quitting.

Emotional and mental health issues

The stress of a PhD program can take a toll on your mental health. If you find yourself constantly anxious, overwhelmed, or depressed, it may be a sign that the program is not worth sacrificing your health.

Financial Hardship

PhD programs can be expensive and do not always offer enough funding or job opportunities to support your lifestyle. If you are struggling financially and cannot see a way out, it may be time to consider other options.

Lack of Support

A strong support system is crucial during a PhD program. If you feel isolated or unsupported by your colleagues or mentor, it can make the program even more challenging.

If you recognize any of these signs, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate your options. It’s important to remember that quitting your PhD program does not mean you have failed. Here are some steps to take next:

Speak with a trusted mentor or advisor to discuss your options.

Consider taking some time off to re-evaluate your goals and explore other interests.

Look into alternative career paths or programs that align with your interests and values.

Connect with a therapist or mental health professional for support during this transition.

Poor relationship with supervisor or lab members

If you’re experiencing conflicts with your supervisor or lab members, it can create a toxic work environment that affects your ability to perform. This can be especially challenging in a PhD program that is often heavily reliant on the relationship with your supervisor. If attempts to resolve conflicts have been unsuccessful, it may be time to consider moving on to a different program or workplace. Remember that your well-being should be a priority and it’s okay to make changes that support that.

Change in personal goals or circumstances

As we grow and change, our goals and circumstances can shift. If you find yourself no longer interested in pursuing a career in academia or if personal circumstances make continuing the program difficult, it’s important to consider whether the PhD is still the best path for you. Keep in mind that it’s never too late to make a change and pursue a different career path that aligns better with your current goals and needs. Remember to seek support and guidance from trusted advisors and professionals as you make these decisions.

The decision to quit your PhD is a difficult one, but it’s important to be honest with yourself about your needs and goals. Remember that quitting does not mean failure, and it’s never too late to make a change. Here are some steps to help you make this decision

Weighing the pros and cons

When making the decision to quit your PhD program, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Some pros of continuing may include a strong passion for your research, a supportive advisor, and opportunities for career advancement. However, some cons may include financial strain, mental and emotional exhaustion, and a lack of interest in your work.

Reflecting on your goals and values

Reflect on your goals and values and how they align with your current situation. Are you still passionate about your research? Is the PhD program aligning with your personal values and goals? Reflecting on these questions can help provide clarity when making the decision to continue or quit the program.

Seeking advice and support

Speak with trusted mentors, advisors, and professionals to discuss your options and gather information. It’s important to seek advice and support from people who understand the demands of a PhD program and can help you make an informed decision.

Trusting your intuition

Ultimately, the decision to quit your PhD should come from a place of intuition and self-awareness. Trust your instincts and listen to your body and mind. If you feel that continuing the program will have a negative impact on your well-being and happiness, it may be time to consider other options.

Remember that quitting your PhD program does not mean you have failed. It takes courage to acknowledge when something is not working and make a change. Trust yourself and do what is best for you and your future.

If you have decided to quit your PhD program, it’s important to have a plan for what comes next. Here are some steps to consider:

Take time for self-care

Leaving a PhD program can be a major life change that can have an emotional impact. It’s important to take time to reflect, process your feelings, and engage in self-care activities that help you feel grounded and supported.

Re-evaluate your career goals

Reflect on your interests and career goals and explore alternative career paths that align with your passions and values. Consider taking courses or workshops to develop new skills and broaden your options.

Network and build new connections

Connect with professionals in your field of interest and attend industry events to expand your network and gain insight into new career opportunities. Building new connections can help you find new opportunities and grow your professional circle.

Seek support and guidance

It’s important to connect with a mentor, advisor, or therapist who can offer support and guidance as you navigate this transition. They can help you overcome any obstacles or self-doubt you may have and provide valuable insights and resources.

Consider further education or training

If you are interested in pursuing a different academic path, consider further education or training in a new field. This can open up new opportunities and help you gain new skills and knowledge.

Embrace the change and stay positive

Leaving a PhD program can be challenging, but it’s important to embrace the change and stay positive. Remember that this decision is an opportunity for growth and new experiences. Focus on the positives of your decision and stay open to new opportunities that come your way. With time and persistence, you can forge a new path that aligns with your passions and goals.

If you decide to leave your PhD program, there are many alternative career routes to consider. Here are a few options to explore:

Consider exploring career opportunities in industry that relate to your research interests. Industry jobs can offer more stability and a faster career trajectory than academia.

If you enjoy teaching, consider pursuing a career as a high school or community college teacher. You can also consider teaching positions in non-academic settings, such as museums or community centers.

Entrepreneurship

Starting your own business or consulting firm can be a rewarding career path that allows you to apply your research skills in new ways. Be prepared to invest time and energy into building your business.

Non-profit work

Non-profit organizations offer a variety of career opportunities that align with your values and interests. Consider working for a non-profit in a role that utilizes your research skills or knowledge.

Government work

Working for the government can provide stable employment and opportunities to make a difference in your field of interest. Consider working in a government agency related to your research area or in science policy.

Freelancing

Freelancing or consulting can offer flexibility and the opportunity to work on a range of projects related to your research or interests. Be prepared for the challenges of self-employment and building a client base.

Remember that there are many alternative career paths to consider after leaving your PhD program. Take time to explore your interests and goals, and seek advice and support from trusted professionals as you navigate this transition.

Consider your options carefully and make a decision that aligns with your values and goals. Remember that it’s okay to change your mind and pursue a different path. Take time for self-care, re-evaluate your career goals, network and build connections, seek support and guidance, consider further education, and stay positive.

As opposed to quitting, if you give it a second thought and decide to resume with your PhD, here are some steps to help you through it and your approach from the past. Don’t worry if you’re feeling unsure; this is a normal phase for many.

Reconnect with your advisor and lab members

It’s important to reconnect with your advisor and lab members after a hiatus. Schedule a meeting with your advisor to discuss your plans moving forward and any necessary steps to re-integrate into the program.

Review and update your research plan

Take time to review and update your research plan to ensure that it aligns with your current goals and interests. Consider any changes that may have occurred during your hiatus and discuss any necessary adjustments with your advisor.

Re-establish your routine

Returning to a PhD program may require adjusting your routine to ensure that you have enough time and energy to dedicate to your research and coursework. Make a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Create a plan for managing your time, including scheduling regular breaks and self-care activities.

Connect with your peers

Connecting with your peers can help you stay motivated and engaged in your program. Attend department events, join a study group, or participate in student clubs to meet new people and build relationships.

Seek additional support and resources

If you are struggling to get back into the swing of things, consider seeking additional support and resources. This may include working with a tutor, attending office hours, or accessing mental health services.

Keep your long-term goals in mind

Remember your long-term goals and why you started your PhD in the first place. Keeping your goals in mind can help you stay motivated and focused as you resume your PhD journey. Celebrate your successes and milestones along the way and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.

Whether you decide to quit your PhD program or continue on, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and your values. Take the time to reflect and seek advice and support from trusted mentors, advisors, and professionals. Remember that there are always options and opportunities to pursue your passions and goals. Whatever you choose – to quit or to resume your PhD after a brief hiatus , trust yourself and take pride in the journey ahead.

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How To Tell Your Advisor You’re Quitting Your Ph.D. Program.

by Gertrude Nonterah PhD | May 16, 2023

“How do I communicate to my advisor that I want to quit my Ph.D. program?”

Someone asked me this question on YouTube and I had to think long and hard about it before responding.

I’m a champion for Ph.D. students and I often want people to finish their Ph.D.s. This is true especially if they are an under-represented minority like me.

But I also realize that a Ph.D. is not the right path for everyone. And it goes without saying that there are lots of successful people who don’t have a Ph.D. Some don’t have a university degree at all.

In any case, telling your advisor you’re quitting your Ph.D. program is a difficult conversation no matter how you slice it. It’s common to feel guilty about letting your advisor down. You might experience guilt for letting down the people who have invested in you in various ways. However, it is important to remember that this is YOUR life and you need to do what’s best for you. Even if it means leaving academia.

Watch the video below as I answer this question.

Quitting your Ph.D. might feel like a nerve-racking decision for you. But thinking through your future career goals, and if a Ph.D. fits in that future can help you come to a satisfactory conclusion.

If you’re thinking of quitting your Ph.D. program, take a step back to reflect. Reflect on what you truly want for your life. Consider your goals and whether a Ph.D. aligns with those future plans. If you have the opportunity, take some time away from the Ph.D. program to see how that feels. Write down your thoughts and reasons. The pros and cons.

Writing down your thoughts and feelings before the conversation will help you to stay organized and on track. When you do have the conversation, use those thoughts you’ve written down as your guideposts when you finally discuss it with your advisor. Be prepared for your advisor to be disappointed. But don’t be guilted into staying if you have done your evaluations and realized a Ph.D. is just not the path for you.

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• Disillusioned by your PhD program? Here are 3 things you can do.
• Should you quit your PhD program? Why I didn’t quit mine.

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Should You Consider Quitting Your PhD?

A PhD is a huge commitment. Beginning your PhD requires time, money, and most of all, motivation—all of which can run out long before you have finished. Most people who have done or are in the process of a PhD have experienced frustration, lack of motivation, and stress. But when is it time to quit your PhD? What will you do afterwards if you decide to take a different path? Coincidentally, I too had joined the course of PhD but ultimately decided that PhD wasn’t for me . Let me share my experience with you and additionally we can also look at the things to consider when quitting a PhD program.

A Major Realization

When I began my PhD, I was full of motivation and couldn’t wait to get to class. Being paid (a minimal amount) to read, write, and discuss ideas all day seemed like the best position in the world to me. But by the time 2014 arrived, things had changed. I was in my third year of my political science PhD program, a newlywed, and experiencing some health problems that I just couldn’t seem to overcome. Spending long hours at school was a necessity but threatening our marriage. I had aches and pains that just wouldn’t go away. I struggled to focus on my research, and yet actively avoided my advisor in the fear of another scolding. One morning I looked at myself in the mirror and asked—what are you doing this for? You don’t have to do this.

Just the idea of quitting my program terrified me. I felt like I had worked too hard to give up now, and for what? Who would want a PhD dropout to work for them? I would be back where I had started before I began graduate school, the tiring state of being underpaid and boring work. Embarking on a PhD was supposed to be my ticket to a new and exciting career. I felt scared, overwhelmed, and trapped. But underneath those feelings was one I hadn’t expected—relief. What if I could just quit and spend more time with my husband? Get some true sleep, exercise regularly again, and follow up properly with the doctor? Once the idea entered my mind, I had a hard time shaking it. Finally, six months later, I pulled the trigger and left. The decision was one of the best I ever made.

Why Do People Leave PhD Programs?

In the six months between the first thought of quitting and when I actually did, I spoke to several people around me about the decision. I tried to figure out exactly what it was that was making this so hard for me.

On thinking and re-thinking, I realized that part of it was motivation—what had seemed like thrilling research in the beginning had become grueling as time went on. I was spending hours isolated reading and writing, when what I wanted to be doing was networking and socializing with others. Even though I had the chance to present my research at several conferences, it always felt like a letdown afterwards . The stress of my marriage and my constant exhaustion from my health problems made everything seem more difficult.

Financial considerations played a part as well—my husband was tired of feeling the pressure to subsidize my meager PhD stipend. But at the same time, I didn’t feel like I could take a break or take on a part time job. Doing so would just prolong the process that was making me miserable. I had always wanted to be a professor, but the number of jobs available was few and far between. The more people I talked to, the more convinced I became that the future I wanted would require sacrifices I wasn’t willing to make.

You Quit, So Now What?

When I told my advisor I was leaving, I was sure of my decision. But that didn’t prevent me from feeling like a failure. I could tell he was disappointed, but not surprised. My classmates, on the other hand, were shocked. How could I throw all this away? What was I going to do?

For several months after quitting I sank into a depression. I felt lost, like my sense of purpose was gone. I began job hunting in earnest, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that even though I hadn’t finished my PhD, the Master’s degree I had earned was still helpful to my resume. While my passion for my PhD research had waned, my desire to make the world a better place hadn’t gone away. I ended up landing a position with a tech company as a risk analyst. I found I both loved the work and could apply much of what I had learned in my three and a half years in graduate school.

After quitting, I reconnected with an old friend from my undergraduate days, who had also quit his PhD. He had started in biotech, but found his time in the lab boring and difficult. He quit after two years and became a product manager , which was a career I had never heard of. Through our talks, I discovered that my story is in no way unique—many people have quit their PhDs and gone on to find fulfilling careers outside of research and academia.

Final Thoughts

Academia is a very insular world, and it can be hard to conceive of what options lie outside it when you are in the PhD process. My friend found his career by connecting with a recruiter on LinkedIn. The recruiter even coached him to tailor the skills he had acquired through research to land his job. He too was scared to leave his program. But his family and surprisingly some of his professors offered him important support and guidance in the process.

Ultimately, I learned that you don’t have to keep making a mistake just because you have spent a long time making it. While my PhD program seemed right for me when I began, circumstances changed and so did I. Quitting was right for me, but I am still glad I tried. Who knows, maybe I will try again one day!

Have you thought about quitting or quit your PhD program? What are the factors influencing your thought process? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

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Should you quit your PhD?

Sep 25, 2023

Should you quit your PhD? There wasn’t a day that went by during my PhD when I didn’t think about quitting at least once. I’d ask myself why I was putting myself through the roller coaster, and whether I had made a mistake.

It’s comforting – or perhaps also a little worrying – to know that these feelings are largely normal. For many PhD students, working to overcome this inner voice is part of the challenge of completing a PhD.

PhDs are hard, there’s no escaping that, and at times stressful, but they shouldn’t be unbearable, at least not for any continued length of time. But there’s a danger that we risk telling students to ‘suck it up’ and in the process normalise suffering and genuine feelings of dissatisfaction. For many, quitting a PhD is the wrong decision. For those students, sure, they need to ‘suck it up’. But for others, quitting is the right decision. For those, sucking it up is the worst possible advice.

This article speaks to those who are thinking of quitting their PhDs, and instead of telling you to suck it up, it talks frankly about why you might want to and how to navigate such a decision. It is my hope that you might understand whether the feelings of dissatisfaction and overwhelm you might have for your PhD are normal, or whether you really are better off doing something else.

Deciding to quit anything, not least a PhD, is often laden with emotional weight, uncertainty, and implications for your future. Even the term quitting is so laden with negative connotations that it’s almost a slur. I almost contemplated avoiding the word entirely in this article. Quitting implies failure, rejection, not having what it takes. But whilst there’s a lot to be said for sticking with adversity, the emotional and cultural baggage around the very idea of quitting can be unhelpful for those who are ill-suited to academia, or those who are really having a horrid time. The stigma around quitting a PhD is naive, when you consider how many people actually do. In the US, for example, around 50% of people drop out of PhD programmes.

The decision to quit your PhD or stick with it is yours and yours alone. It’s not up to me or anyone else to tell you you should or shouldn’t quit. The difficulty in such a decision is understanding – truly understanding – whether any sense of dissatisfaction you’re feeling with your PhD journey is on the ‘normal’ end of the spectrum, or whether it’s on the problematic end. In other words, whether you should suck it up or move on to other things.

What can be helpful in working out where on that spectrum you are is to understand the reasons why other people decide to drop out.

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Common Reasons for Wanting to Quit a PhD

Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of academic research around this topic. In an extensive review of the literature on this topic, Sverdlik, Hall, McAlpine & Hubbard (2018)  categorised the factors that influenced this decision as external or internal to the student.

External factors

Supervision.

The most influential force in the doctoral experience is the supervisory relationship. When it is open, supportive and communicative, you can assume that students feel more successful and satisfied. Compatibility, whether in terms of research interests or working style, between the student and the supervisor, is also important. When these are missing, and when the supervisory relationship itself turns into a source of stress and anxiety, it’s not uncommon for students to feel a great deal of dissatisfaction.

Departmental structures and organisation

From the students we speak to, particularly those in our writing group , we know how important it is to feel connected and to feel as though you’re part of something bigger. Departments have a huge role to play in addressing this need, and when this type of support and integration is missing it can damage our feelings of belonging and overall morale.

There are two dimensions at play here. On a formal level, departments can do a lot to integrate and socialise students into departmental life, through things like funding opportunities, sharing information, teaching opportunities, and clear communication. On an informal level, there’s much they can do to make you feel welcome, such as socialising you into the departmental culture and making you feel as though you’re a valuable member of the department.

Where there is a mismatch between you and your department, whether informally or formally, it can be very easy to feel isolated and make the decision to leave the programme easier. This of course has not been helped by the pandemic. During the pandemic, and particularly lock-down, this isolation was particularly acute, for obvious reasons. But from our experience working with students since the pandemic, often things never really returned to the way they were before. There’s more time alone, more time on Zoom, less time in the department and less time interacting in the real world with peers. The ability to feel part of something bigger and supported by department structures is now more strained as a result.

Financial opportunities

It is perhaps unsurprising that whether or not funding opportunities are available can have a huge impact on your overall sense of worth and well-being, and can be a major driver in deciding whether or not to quit the PhD programme. For many, the years doing a PhD are years that could be spent in industry starting a career (and getting paid accordingly). As the years on the PhD programme go by, a fear of missing out kicks in, and you may start to question your financial acumen in deciding to go down this path. I certainly did; my stipend was around £12,000 per year, which was far, far less than I could have earned elsewhere, and well below minimum wage when taking into consideration the number of hours I was spending on the PhD. I was grateful to receive it of course, but fully aware of the opportunity cost of the PhD on any alternative careers or income.

On a more pragmatic level, the issue isn’t so much what you could be earning elsewhere, rather the more immediate concern of not having enough money in the first place. Academia is an elite institution, with too few students from working class and marginalised backgrounds. When me and other PhD students I worked with – all comfortable in our middle class lives – complained of having no money, what most of us really meant was ‘not having as much as we’d like’.

For many on our programme and many elsewhere though, not having enough money means just that. It means having to hold down one or more part-time jobs, and miss out on conferences, events, and other things crucial both to professional and personal wellbeing. For some,  the decision to drop out can be a purely financial one, or one borne out of the stress and exhaustion that comes from simply staying afloat.

Another significant factor affecting a decision to stay in the programme is what happens after you graduate. For many disciplines and in many countries, the academic job market is poor, with little promise of job security or salaries to match the expertise and experience you have. Where there are limited job options or poor salary prospects, the decision to quit a PhD can become easier.

Internal factors

A common reason for quitting a PhD is a lack of motivation. The unstructured nature of PhD work, and the fact that you have to self-regulate and self-manage, means that motivation can be difficult to conjure up.

There is obviously a close relationship between the other factors I’ve discussed elsewhere and this one. Motivation might wane where there is a poor supervisor relationship, for example, or once you realise that there are poor job prospects. But it can also be influenced by why you decided to do a PhD in the first place. Broadly, we can break down a student’s motivations for starting a PhD into two spheres: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic reasons are a passion or interest for the subject. Extrinsic reasons are things like boosting your CV. Students who pursue a PhD for intrinsic reasons – because they’re passionate about a topic – are more likely to stick with it and feel more satisfied.

Self-worth and efficacy

At the heart of many PhD students’ struggles is a sense of not being ‘worthy’ of a PhD, or not having what it takes. Countering this prevailing self-depreciation is a big part of what we try to do here, because such self-critique is more often than not based on a faulty assessment of our own abilities and skills. When we think we’re worthless, the cost of quitting decreases significantly.

Personal and social lives

PhDs require a huge amount of physical and emotional energy. The often extensive demands of both formal and informal doctoral work means that health, wellbeing and social lives can go out of the window. It is when we fail to manage our well-being and maintain a holistic personal life beyond the PhD that we experience burnout, depression and low well-being. And when they rear their heads, you’re far more likely to want to leave.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the PhD will demand a huge amount of your time. But there’s absolutely no need to feel guilty about taking time away from it and focusing on your own health and your own personal life instead. Indeed, work-life balance is the strongest predictor of psychological distress in PhD students.

Your PhD Thesis. On one page.

Assessing your situation.

Whilst the research above looks at why students have dropped out, what it doesn’t look at is whether they’re the ‘right’ decision to drop out. I use the word ‘right’ here cautiously. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ reason for dropping out. Rather, there is just ‘a’ decision to drop out. What we might think of instead is whether the struggles and strains are on the normal, to-be-expected end of the PhD spectrum or whether life really is miserable and you really are better off leaving.

But how can you know on what end of the spectrum you lie?

It’s entirely normal in a PhD to feel like you’re not making any progress and to feel completely out of your depth. Research is an exercise in failing, over and over again. In order to work out what the correct path is, you need to go down all the wrong paths, find the dead ends, and retrace your steps to find another path to take. Eventually, you get to the end, perhaps without ever noticing when you finally made it onto the right path.

This trial-and-error approach, informed of course by an intelligent reading of the literature and your data, is, counterintuitively, how we make progress in research. We throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks. Further aggrevating that though is the fact that you’ve never really done any of this stuff before. You’re in at the very deepest end, learning on the job and, as we’ve seen, continually making mistakes.

It can be easy to see these mistakes as your failure, as something innate to your abilities (or perceived lack of them). But they’re not. Failure is progress, after all. And all that work is just plain hard. And isolating. If a PhD was easy, everyone would have one. But they’re not, so they don’t.

All this is to suggest that perhaps you shouldn’t quit a PhD if you feel like an imposter, or you feel like you’re making too many mistakes and haven’t got what it takes. Or if you find the work too hard (everyone does, and it gets easier).

But perhaps you should quit a PhD if you’ve traded your health (particularly your mental health) to stay on the journey. Or, because the more you go down the path the more you lost interest in the subject or the more you see that the career that lies ahead isn’t for you.

Consequences of Quitting

But as much as it is a personal decision, there are real-world, often external consequences. This step will have ramifications for your career, your sense of self, and possibly even your social circle. Before deciding to leave your programme, it’s important to know what you’re really signing up for.

Professional Implications

Choosing to step away from a PhD might feel like veering off an established career path. Within academia, the finished thesis is the route to a research or teaching position. But outside the academic walls, the reality is different. Many industries and sectors deeply value the skills you’ve acquired during your PhD journey—skills like in-depth research capabilities, critical thinking, and proficient project management. Even without that final thesis, and no matter how far through you end up, you come armed with a unique set of competencies that can be invaluable in various roles and settings.

Personal Growth

Irrespective of your decision about the PhD, the journey itself offers invaluable lessons about personal growth. Throughout this experience, you’ll discover more about yourself: the environments in which you flourish, the challenges you willingly embrace, and the aspects of work you truly value. Deciding whether to continue or step back isn’t just about the degree; it’s an extended exercise in self-awareness and in understanding your priorities. Whether you proceed or drop out, these insights into your character and preferences will guide many of your future choices.

Financial Considerations

The financial dimension of quitting a PhD is complex. You need to be mindful of existing funding agreements, scholarships, and any potential repayment obligations. Beyond that, consider the financial landscape of transitioning into a new field or profession. While the initial phase might come with financial challenges, especially if you’re retraining or shifting sectors, remember that many industries might value the unique skills and perspectives you bring from your PhD experience. Balancing immediate financial concerns with long-term prospects can help you make an informed decision.

Social Impacts

Making the decision about your PhD is deeply personal, but its ripple effects touch the people around you. You might find yourself on the receiving end of a spectrum of reactions from peers, mentors, family, and friends. While some might stand firmly by your side, understanding and supporting your choice, others might struggle to grasp the reasons behind your decision. During such times, it’s crucial to lean on a supportive network. Engaging in open conversations and seeking understanding can be cathartic. Surrounding yourself with empathetic individuals who respect your choices, even if they don’t fully understand them, can make this transition smoother and more reassuring. But above all, remember that is your choice alone to make, and you don’t need to justify it to anyone.

The Emotional Weight of Considering Quitting

Quitting your PhD is not a simple binary decision, and the weight of the decision is not just academic but emotional, affecting not just your work, but your sense of self and your future.

A key part of the challenge is that it can feel as though your entire education has led to you doing a PhD. That your entire identity is wrapped up in being an academic, and being smart, and the PhD is the final piece of the puzzle that is so tantalising close and worth risking everything for. This is largely nonsense. You will still be smart if you drop out. You will still have all the skills and experience you’ve gained in your education so far, and plenty of non-academic employers would love to hire you for them.

Quitting a PhD should therefore be seen as a positive. It’s you taking control over your well-being and changing something that wasn’t working for you. It’s you taking a risk, putting yourself first, and refusing to put up with something that you know isn’t good for you.

But nonetheless, you’re likely to go on an emotional rollercoaster in the run up and aftermath to leaving your programme.

Guilt and Shame

It’s entirely natural for you to grapple with feelings of guilt and shame when thinking about leaving a PhD behind. Societal norms, combined with personal expectations, can paint a picture where deviating from the path feels like a defeat. The weight of the world and your own aspirations can press heavily, making you feel like you’re not measuring up or that you’re letting yourself and others down. The idea of quitting is often shrouded in taboo, further intensified by the sunk cost fallacy – the notion that you’ve already invested so much time, energy, and perhaps finances, that turning back feels wasteful. However, it’s vital for you to remember that your journey is unique, and measuring your decisions against societal standards or past investments might not always reflect what’s best for your current and future well-being.

Contemplating the idea of stepping away from the PhD might initially be fraught with hesitations and doubts. However, as you delve deeper into the thought, you might find a palpable sense of relief washing over you. This emotional response can be enlightening. If merely considering a different path brings such a strong sense of relief, it might be an indication that redirecting your journey could indeed be the right choice for your well-being and future goals. Listening to this inner emotional compass can be crucial in making decisions that resonate with your true desires and needs.

Fear of the Unknown

Stepping into an uncertain future, especially when it deviates from a long-held plan like completing a PhD, can be incredibly daunting for you. The questions might swirl in your mind: What opportunities await without that coveted doctoral degree? How will the professional landscape perceive you? The ambiguity of not knowing can sometimes overshadow the reasons that led you to consider a different path. But remember, every significant life decision comes with its share of uncertainties. Embracing them, rather than fearing them, can open doors to opportunities you hadn’t previously imagined.

Embarking on a PhD is often a decision driven by your passion, curiosity, and aspirations for the future. But as the journey progresses, you might find a growing disconnect between the academic path and your evolving personal and professional goals. Recognising this misalignment isn’t a sign of failure but rather an act of self-validation. Understanding that the path you once felt was perfect might not align with your current aspirations is empowering, and a sign of a deeper understanding of your own needs and desires. This realisation isn’t about admitting defeat, but rather about acknowledging your evolving self-awareness and priorities. By doing so, you’re not only giving yourself the permission to seek out paths that resonate more with your current goals but also embracing an authentic commitment to your personal growth and future.

Alternatives to Quitting

Remember that quitting is not your only option, even when it feels like it. Whether it’s considering a leave of absence, consulting with mental health professionals, or even shifting your research focus, there are ways to make your PhD journey more bearable. Yes, you read it right—you don’t have to face the monumental task of single-handedly revolutionising your field. It’s your apprenticeship into academia, not a Nobel Prize race.

Considering a Leave of Absence

Before making a final decision, remember that many institutions provide an option to take a break. Opting for a leave of absence might offer you the breathing room you need, allowing you to step back, recharge, and assess your choices with a clearer mind. This pause can be instrumental in reevaluating your commitment to the program, granting you the time to contemplate whether your struggles are temporary setbacks or indicative of a deeper misalignment.

Reassessing Supervisory and Project Dynamics

If the crux of your unease stems from challenges with your supervisor or the nature of your research project, there’s a potential remedy. Consider discussing a switch in supervision or even pivoting your research direction. Sometimes, reshuffling these foundational elements can reignite your passion and satisfaction with the PhD journey, altering the course of your experience.

Weighing the Part-time PhD Option

The rigours of a full-time PhD can be overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling other life responsibilities or commitments. Some universities accommodate by offering a part-time PhD track. This could be a balanced middle-ground, allowing you to continue your academic pursuits at a more manageable pace while also engaging with other aspects of your life.

Turning to Counseling or Therapy

The emotional and mental strains of a PhD can be taxing. Engaging in counseling or therapy sessions can provide you with a space to articulate and process your feelings. A professional can offer insights, coping mechanisms, and strategies to manage stress, potentially equipping you with the tools to navigate the challenges of the doctoral journey.

Steps to Take If You Decide to Quit

If, after thorough reflection, you decide that leaving is the best course of action, there are official routes and less formal pathways out of your PhD. Exit degrees, other academic pursuits, or a pivot into industry could all be next steps in your post-PhD life.

Engaging with Your Supervisor and Department

Your decision impacts not just you but also your academic ecosystem. Open dialogue with your supervisor and department is crucial. These discussions offer clarity, ensure all parties understand the reasons behind your choice, and can sometimes open doors to alternative solutions you might not have considered.

Understanding the Withdrawal Process

Deciding to leave is more than just an emotional choice; there’s an administrative aspect to it. Familiarize yourself with the withdrawal process of your institution. Be clear on any obligations, potential repercussions, or financial considerations associated with your decision.

Leveraging Career Counseling

Your skills and experiences acquired during your PhD journey are valuable and transferrable. Career counseling can guide you in identifying these strengths and navigating job markets, ensuring you’re positioned favorably for roles outside of academia that resonate with your aspirations.

Maintaining Academic and Professional Connections

Exiting a PhD program doesn’t necessitate severing ties with the academic world. The relationships, networks, and bonds you’ve forged can continue to serve you well in various capacities. Maintain these connections; they can be sources of references, collaborations, or even job opportunities.

Wholeheartedly Embracing Your Decision

Whatever your choice, remember it’s grounded in your well-being and aspirations. It’s an act of courage and self-awareness. Celebrate this bravery and move forward with optimism and confidence, knowing you’re aligned with a path that resonates with your current and future goals.

Choosing to quit your PhD is an intensely personal decision that comes with its own set of complexities. Just like when you’re wrestling with your day-to-day PhD challenges, it’s crucial to be realistic about what you can and cannot do. If you decide to leave your PhD programme, know that it’s a decision that should be made with the utmost care, with due consideration given to both your present circumstances and your future prospects. But know that only you can make the decision, and being able to make it in good faith depends on whether you’re able to fully understand the feelings that you have and the relationship you have with your PhD. Is what you’re feeling a ‘normal’ part of the journey, or a cause for concern? It is my hope that this article has helped you to undersatnd the answer to this question a bit more clearly. Feel free to share your experience in the comments, or if you want to work on on one with me to work through pain points or struggles, learn more about my coaching programme .

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Wow, very spooky!! I just handed in my withdrawal notice today!! What sort of algorithm do you use there??!!

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Why I Quit my PhD Program and How I Found My Own Self-Worth

by Robert Solano

Photo by Keira Burton, at pexels.com.

I have finally made the difficult decision to quit my PhD studies. This was not an easy choice, and I had been contemplating it for almost two years before finally deciding to resign. Throughout my studies, many people have asked me about the program, and when I informed them of my decision to quit, some have asked why, while others have urged me to reconsider. I have written this blog post to answer my friends’ questions and to share my experience with others who may be considering starting or leaving a PhD program. I don’t want to discourage anyone, but I believe it is crucial to make an informed decision before committing four or five years of your life to a program.

To be clear, when I applied for the Aviation PhD program in 2014, I wrote in my essay that a doctorate degree would help me understand “the complex aviation environment” and prepare me for “the numerous challenges I will face in the future.” I expressed my desire to learn and to contribute to society’s body of aviation knowledge. However, the main reason I wanted a PhD degree was to be called “Doctor.”

I know this may seem superficial, but I believe that most students pursue their PhD degrees for the same reason. Only those who are highly conscientious would willingly subject themselves to another four years of rigorous education after completing a master’s degree, which already involves over 20 years of schooling from kindergarten to graduation. Conscientiousness is a major personality trait that measures a person’s tendency to follow a plan, complete tasks, and work consistently to achieve a goal. Conscientious people tend to be high-achievers in various fields, such as world-class athletes, Ivy League students, and neurosurgeons. In other words, they are the kind of people most likely to apply for a PhD program, and I am no exception.

I have always strived to reach the next level. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Point , became a combat pilot after flight school, and obtained a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech (also known as Rocket Science). I have completed numerous marathons, a 140.6-mile Ironman triathlon (it took me 13 and half hours to finish), and was a finalist for NASA’s astronaut selection (you can check out my full career on LinkedIn ). For me, a PhD degree was simply the next level and another milestone in a lifetime of progressively challenging goals.

However, I realize now that I have been pursuing these accomplishments and titles to prove my self-worth. I mistakenly believed that being called “Doctor” would command more respect, demonstrate that I was more qualified than my peers, and help me earn more money. I thought that having a doctorate degree would unequivocally establish me as a subject matter expert in my field. But when I started my PhD program in 2015, I realized that I was wrong.

The school I attended has the best distance learning aviation doctorate program in the nation. I don’t want this post to reflect negatively on the school, so I will not name it. Nevertheless, I believe that my experience is similar to that of many students in institutions across the country. In general, the PhD program comprises two years of academic classes followed by two years of dissertation research. Our first major event was a week-long residency on campus that culminated in a Poster Day, during which we presented our initial research topic to other students and faculty.

Leading up to our first residency, I was excited. It was great to meet my future classmates and faculty. I was especially thrilled about Poster Day. This was my first opportunity to present my initial research topic, an area that I would focus on during my academic classes and follow-on research.

I had a great idea. I planned to use crowdsourcing, Markov chains, and machine learning to train an aircraft autonomous emergency landing system. It was a novel idea, and I believed that it was a necessary first step in creating a future society where all commercial aircraft are un-piloted, circa 2035.

On the morning of the presentation, I wore my best suit and tie, rehearsed my 60-second elevator pitch, and then stood readily by my poster when the presentations started. Curious attendees walked up to my poster, I gave them my pitch, and then they asked me questions or gave me advice.

In more words or less, the instructor feedback was that my research was a bad idea. They grilled me about the experiment validity, error, implementations, and the like. They recommended numerous changes, and by the time I left residency, only a few weeks into my studies, my brilliant idea was dead on arrival. The corrected research plan looked nothing like my original brilliant idea.

The criticism of my initial research idea was a setback, but I brushed it off and began my academic studies. My program was mostly through distance learning, which was convenient since I worked a full-time job. I took two classes per trimester, which required about 20 hours per week of classwork. Usually, I would get home from work, open a bottle of wine, and lock myself in my office. I read, researched, and wrote from 7:00 pm until the bottle of wine was empty, usually about 10:00 pm. After I shut down my computer, I would make a quick dinner at 11:00 pm and then go to bed. I usually worked like this Monday through Thursday. I took off Friday evenings to spend time with my fiancé or friends, and then I worked another 6 to 8 hours on Saturday or Sunday. For two years, I barely went to the gym, neglected to spend time with my soon-to-be wife, and became a borderline alcoholic—but at least I was on my way to a PhD!

I read hundreds of pages each night for my PhD classes. Although the classes were through distance learning online, the school did a great job of fostering camaraderie and educational discussion between classmates. The teachers were always responsive and eager to help students. I also worked on numerous group projects and have a lot of respect for my classmates. When we saw each other at summer residency, it was always a big celebratory reunion. I will miss those experiences.

Some of the classes I took were interesting, and I learned more about aviation topics than I ever thought possible. But what surprised me was that I learned more about the research process than I did about aviation. Almost half of my classes were about research methodology, design of experiments, statistics, probabilities, correlations, analysis of variance, and many more research methods. Due to these in-depth research methodology classes, I no longer trust any statistics I read in news unless it is linked to a peer-reviewed research article that I can review. And even if it is linked to a peer-reviewed article, I learned that almost half of all peer-reviewed research is complete crap. My PhD research significantly increased my ability to recognize the exaggerations and innocent misrepresentations that are rampant in all news sources and many nonfiction books.

The aviation-related classes were nothing like my bachelor’s or master’s degree studies. We rarely used textbooks, and assignments were relatively unstructured. A final exam question was usually something like, “Discuss three reasons why the aerospace industry is vital to the U.S. economy.” We were free to write about anything that loosely answered the question as long as we demonstrated doctorate-level literature reviews and analysis. There was rarely a ‘right’ answer to any of the homework assignments, essays, or term papers. We had broad leeway to write about almost anything we wanted.

In order to complete the coursework, I learned how to speed-read through 20 or 30 research papers per night, each of which was usually 10-30 pages, for a total of about 400 pages per evening. I wrote more essays and discussion board posts during my two years working on my PhD than I ever wrote my entire life up to that point. This is a habit that I carried over to help with blogging.

I say all of this because I am extremely grateful for my PhD experience. 2015 to 2017 was a grueling two years, but well worth it. Despite the benefit, my excitement in studying began to fade in 2017. As I suffered through my PhD coursework, I learned something about myself. I realized that I was pursuing a PhD to validate my own self-worth. I thought that being a doctor would gain me more respect and authority in my field. Eventually, I realized that this was a false assumption.

I learned that respect begins with respecting myself, and that other people will value me only as much as I value myself first. Furthermore, I realized that the best way to establish myself as a subject matter expert was by building strong relationships and delivering results.

In 2017, I became disillusioned with writing assignments. Most of my essays and discussion board posts were forgotten as soon as each semester ended. It’s unlikely that anyone in the world would be interested in reading my essay about the Contract Mail Act of 1925. While the school encouraged students to submit their final term papers for publication in academic journals, one semester isn’t long enough to develop a publishable article. I was lucky to publish one conference paper and one magazine article during my studies, but most of my essays were boring and academic fluff. As an experienced professional, it’s frustrating to spend so much time writing just to meet a word count. That’s why I created this blog page in January 2018 as the antithesis to all the writing I felt was wasted in my academic classes.

Despite the positives and negatives I’ve already mentioned, the main reason I quit my PhD studies is that I couldn’t align my academic goals with my personal and professional goals. My life goals are to complete my service in the Army, start my own business, raise a happy and healthy family, be a leader for my community, be a good friend, and live a purpose-driven life. I also recently came up with the goal of writing a book about Alpha Couples.

I’m not interested in being a university professor or working in a research lab. After careful reflection, I realized that a PhD isn’t required for anything I want to accomplish in life. In many ways, spending over four years on a PhD was actually affecting my ability to be a good husband, friend, or leader. It also required time and energy that I could use to write my book. So, in 2017, after completing two years of academic coursework, I took a leave of absence from my studies.

After spending six months reflecting on the PhD program and worrying about the dissertation, I realized that the research process would be a nightmare. The process involves submitting 25 pages of the paper, receiving feedback from the dissertation board that it’s not good enough, making revisions and resubmitting, and repeating this cycle for about two years until a 200-300 page paper is complete and approved. This process of continual editing was not appealing to me as I value unfettered creativity.

Despite my doubts and dissatisfaction, I felt it was difficult to quit. I had already invested over two years, hundreds of hours of work, and more than $50,000 in tuition fees (partly self-funded and partly through the GI Bill). I was halfway through the program and had to write only one more paper, albeit a lengthy one. So, after a six-month hiatus, I resumed my PhD studies.

In 2018, I developed a new research topic related to my career in the Army. I planned to conduct mixed-method factor analysis by interviewing and surveying aviation project managers and contract officers to learn about their challenges in developing aviation software. I believed that this topic would be beneficial to me professionally and enable me to build relationships in my community. I wrote a 20-page proposal and submitted it to my advisor.

However, my advisor rejected my proposal, stating that my research plan was too qualitative and not quantitative. I spent the next three months modifying my topic and found a database that would provide a considerable amount of quantitative data. Instead of interviewing senior program managers and contract officers, I would review and analyze hundreds of rows of data in an Excel spreadsheet. I believed that my new proposal would get approved, but then I realized that I would be miserable analyzing a massive Excel spreadsheet for the next two years of my life.

I don’t envy the role of a research advisor. They see dozens of subpar research ideas every semester. They must steer students away from bad ideas and help them select research topics that have the greatest probability of resulting in a successful graduation. Simultaneously, they must also protect their school’s reputation by ensuring that students deliver high-quality academic research. The PhD dissertation process is understandably lengthy to ensure that dissertations meet the doctoral level. Unfortunately, this process requires students to spend an excessive amount of time and energy on the process, and not on their research. In many instances, students spend a year trying to get their experiment approved, less than two months completing their data collection, and then another year writing a dissertation that satisfies the preferences of their dissertation board. Almost all dissertations conform to the school’s research style, which usually begins with a cookie-cutter MS Word document that explicitly dictates section titles, page count, and research approach. Most dissertations are about 200 pages and rarely include more than a handful of enlightening paragraphs.

In contrast, Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, a beautiful 24-page paper that changed our understanding of the physical world, would be insufficient as a PhD dissertation. In today’s PhD programs, structure and processes are prioritized over innovation and creativity. At the end of the process, most students have a “just get it done” attitude. Any excitement or hope they had at the beginning of their research is completely destroyed. They find joy again when they graduate and earn the title of Doctor, not because they are incredibly proud of their research, but instead because they can finally stop the self-flagellation.

Without completing the full dissertation process myself, I will never fully understand the thoughts, logic, and emotions of PhD candidates during the final stages of the dissertation process, but I know that I would not have been happy.

I also can’t say for certain if my proposed research topics were any good. They may have fallen into the realm of crappy research; I think my ideas were great, but a parent rarely thinks their child is ugly. On the other hand, they may have been great ideas but could have been too difficult to complete during the two-year dissertation process.

At that point, after getting my idea rejected again, I was close to quitting my PhD studies, but I still hesitated. I had invested a lot of time and money into my PhD studies, but more importantly, I felt that I was letting people down. I had dozens of friends and classmates who encouraged me to stay with the program and helped me throughout my studies. I had supervisors who gave me time off to complete residency or leave work a little early to work on my final exams. I had professors who were incredibly supportive and willing to work with me throughout the dissertation process. And, I had proud parents, siblings, and coworkers who smiled whenever they introduced me as “…and Robert’s working on his PhD.” I felt obligated to these people that I love, to complete my studies.

I thought about quitting my PhD for two years, from 2017 to 2019. Then, one of my coaches, Rjon Robbins , presented me with an incredibly simple lesson. He said that “Wise people use death as an adviser.”

So, I asked myself, “Would my decision be different if I knew that I will die tomorrow? Next year? In 5 years? In 50 years?” In every timeline, my PhD studies were a trivial point. If I knew that I would die in 5 years or less, I would quit instantly. If I knew that I would die in 50 years, a PhD degree wouldn’t make much of a difference one way or another. So, shortly after that lesson, I resigned.

I have an incredible amount of respect for PhD programs, their faculty, and students; I am proud to call my classmates my friends. Although I was not always happy, I learned an incredible amount during my PhD program. I am especially grateful because my studies changed the way I think and analyze news, articles, books, and research. This is a skill that significantly improved the way I process information.

Almost immediately after quitting the program, I felt a wave of relief come over me. My stress magically disappeared. I began exercising more frequently, ate healthier, drank less alcohol, and spent more time with my fiance. I also began writing for pleasure, which eventually led to this blog my first published book, Alpha Couples: Build a Powerful Marriage Like a Boss . Although I didn’t get my doctorate, my PhD studies made me a better researcher and writer which I ue in all aspects of my career .

Although I quit my PhD studies, I will take the education with me forever.

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Job Search the Smart Way

Job Search the Smart Way provides tips and strategies for embarking on the next great phase of your career with confidence.

At Beyond the Professoriate, we help graduate students and PhDs thrive in today’s fast-changing economy.

Job Search the Smart Way provides tips and strategies for embarking on the next great phase of your career with confidence. Listen to the podcast to learn more about career options for PhDs, what a nonacademic job search really entails, and the psychological barriers PhDs often encounter in a career transition.

Your host, Dr. Maren Wood, is Founder of Beyond the Professoriate, a career coach and international keynote speaker.

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EPISODE 34: How to network when you don’t have a network

Networking is one of the most important ways to explore career options and land jobs. But it can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a network. How do you build a network if you don’t have a network? In this episode, Maren shares tips and strategies you can use to help graduate students, PhDs, and alumni, build authentic networks so that they can identify career options, land opportunities, and build meaningful careers.

EPISODE 1: Why we fear we won’t be happy outside of academia

In this introductory episode, Maren talks about her journey from graduate school to leaving academia and starting her own successful business. Walking away from her dream — of becoming a professor — was not an easy decision for Maren. Like so many PhDs, she worried about being unfulfilled and unhappy in a nonacademic job. Now, 8 years later, she has a different perspective on what was truly holding her back.

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